Twenty-one (21) months into his tenure as Magesi Football Club Head Coach, Clinton Larsen returns to the top-flight amid much fanfare.
The 53-year-old mentor has been in the dugout for 15 years, from his days as an assistant coach at Bloemfontein Celtic and arriving at Magesi FC almost two years ago.
Larsen’s transition from player to coach was expected. After all, the Durban-born mentor was one of the notable leaders of the Manning Rangers side that punched well above its weight in the mid-90s.
Nicknamed the ‘Mighty Maulers’, Rangers were the first side to win a Premier Soccer League (PSL) title, achieving the feat in the 1996/97 season.
Larsen, who went on to play for Bafana Bafana, was one of the standout performers, playing out of midfield.
Fast forward to 2024, he has come full circle and of the PSL managers, he’s certainly one of the most experienced with a total of 295 games as coach in South Africa’s top-flight.
During a chat with www.magesi.co.za, he said he’s looking forward to impart his experience to the team and hit the ground running as we face Sekhukhune United on Wednesday, 18 September, at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium (19H30).
“The main lesson is there are no easy games. Prepare well and try to execute your game plan as best you can. Cherish every point you get because this is a new territory for everyone at the club,” commented Larsen, who was a nominee for the 2010/11 PSL Coach of the Season award, alongside Ruud Krol (Orlando Pirates) and Foppe De Haan (Ajax Cape Town).
“I think Sekhukhune are a good example of a club that is consistently improving on all fronts. They have assembled a very talented squad of players and are very competitive in the market. Their achievements last season are testament to how much the club has improved over the past three seasons,” continued Larsen.
Having said that, Larsen expects our boys to hold their own, in a League that has become increasingly difficult over the years.
For over two months – since 24 June – the team has been hard at work in preparation for the season ahead.
“The club is continually growing and evolving as the weeks and months go by. Whether we are ready for the season will depend on our performances and results in the next few months. Pre-season performances and results are not always a true reflection of your readiness,” he added.
The nation holds its breath as Dikwena tša Meetse enter new, fresh waters. Let the games begin.
